Need advice on how to respond to a manager after interview

U.S.A. New York

Published

Hello fellow RN's I am in need of advice on how to respond to a Nurse Manager which I had an interview with.

Here is the story,

The interview was in early December. When I arrived there was no room avail for the interview, the manager and i wonder around until we were place in a conference room. Soon after the interview started we were interrupted a total of 5 times by staff members. One interruption was to placed another interviewee in the same room to wait to be interviewed so she was listening to our meeting. Another interruption was to place another manager with her interviewee in the same room to have their interview. So now we have two interviews in the same room and one interviewee waiting to be interviewed.

At the end of our conversation I reiterated my interest in the position and hopes to hear from the manager soon. This was the manager's response "Ohh you will hear from us"!

This is the bottom line: I have not heard from anyone since then as of today. I sent the manager a well written thank you letter and did not received a response.

I have called more than you can imagine to check if the position has been filled this is what I have gotten so far:

1. I couldn't get a hold of the manager and couldn't even leave a msg on her voicemail. So i called the receptionist and was told by the receptionist that the position was probably filled.

2. When I finally got in touch with the manager she said, "didn't you called yesterday" i said "yes"

she didn't even allowed me to tell her my name and explain that i called but was not able to talk to her. Anyways she responded with " I though I told you it would be 3 weeks" with an arrogant demeanor.

3. I continue to call and was told by receptionist that a letter was sent out to all interviewees. But i have not received one.

4. I called back the manager and this was her response " HR should be sending you guys a letter this week" what does that suppose to mean?

5. I still haven't gotten an acknowledgment by mail that the position has been filled or not even a word by mouth of the manager.

At this point i know that the position has been filled off course.

But I am somewhat disappointed that the manager didn't even give me a feedback on how to improved my candidacy in the future. Also, at some point I felt that she gave me and enthusiastic false reassurance at the end of our interview. By the way, she did not acknowledge my thank you letter which is a bummer!

Should i be given an apology for the lack of organization and interruptions during our interview? I didnt get one.

The truth is i presented my self with maturity and professionalism although I looked very young and I am a graduate nurse I hope this was not taking into consideration for the fact that I was not giving the dignity to at least be informed by mail with a "thanks for your interest but..." letter .

I am thinking of sending this manager a detail letter about my impressions and was wondering if anyone has any feedback. should i even bother sending her a letter?

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

You are being unrealistic.

They owe you nothing. In a dream world they would treat you courteously and acknowledge your letter and treat you with respect however that is just not the way it is.

It is a "buyers market". Employers have all the power and a million applicants for every position.

I am not saying it is right, but that is the reality.

You just have to suck it up and meet their needs and be polite and send the thank you letters and understand they may never acknowledge your efforts.

I am not trying to be cruel, but your attitude will prevent you from being hired. That is just the reality.

I wish you the best of luck.

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Thanks for your criticism. I agree with you to certain extent.

On the other hand, dont you think think everyone is owe at least professionalism? you are rigth I should not expect an acknowledement of my letter but at least respect. The same respect we all have for the profession of nursing. Not sending a letter or calling an interviewee to let them know the position has been filled its just unprofessional is not mere courtesy.

You are being unrealistic.

They owe you nothing. In a dream world they would treat you courteously and acknowledge your letter and treat you with respect however that is just not the way it is.

It is a "buyers market". Employers have all the power and a million applicants for every position.

I am not saying it is right, but that is the reality.

You just have to suck it up and meet their needs and be polite and send the thank you letters and understand they may never acknowledge your efforts.

I am not trying to be cruel, but your attitude will prevent you from being hired. That is just the reality.

I wish you the best of luck.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I totally agree.

However, that is not the case these days. If you do not lose that expectation and the attitude it causes then potential employers will sense that and it will count against you.

Just giving you a reality check because I want you to succeed. Hopefully when you are a nurse recruiter or manager some day you will treat others as you wish you had been treated.

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Thanks crunch RN i appreciate your feedback. Actually, I never gave the impression of having an attitude at all when contacting the manager.

I know the tone of my letter may sound like it as I was frustrated. But I guess I shouldnt not take things personal. Because like you say, the market is competitive so managers dont seemed to care about impressing potential employees.

Again, I appreciate your feedback and would take it in consideration if im faced with a similar experience.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

You probably will. Soon!

Back in my day (I am 48) you cold actually expect at least a letter from HR acknowledging your application and then a letter letting you know if you did not get the job.

Ah, the good old days!

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OP, was this for the position at Coney Island (referring to your other thread post)?

Best of luck to you!

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It's a numbers game when it comes to selling yourself. Just keep applying and interviewing. When the offers come in you won't even remember that one interview. Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Crunch is right, they give people false reassurances all of the time. I guess it eliminates an awkward moment of saying "thanks for this interview but I'm not sure about you as a candidate". It's much easier to say "we'll keep in touch". You are expecting too much from these recruiters and managers who are probably overwhelmed with applicants and interviewing candidates. It would be irrational to expect them to respond to every single person who did not get the position & tell them why they didn't get it. I have been on interviews and have not heard anything back either. You just have to assume you didn't get the job. If they want you, you'll know. Good luck on your search and don't expect too much from these recruiters and managers, you will set yourself up for disappointment.

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I should also add that had it been me (believe me, I can turn on the theatrics), I would have asked to find a different room to interview in, even if it means we're sitting on the floor in a cafeteria. All those people in there, I can't hear myself think. But like others have said, I think you're expecting too much to ask them personally get back to you concerning a position you interviewed for.

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If you have an option, and you receive the letter of acceptance, I would run in the other direction as fast as possible. The whole interview process was highly disrespectful to all concerned. I can't imagine that HR and nursing managers would care so little (or simply not have their act together) for this process. Makes me wonder why anyone would want to work in that facility based on this first taste of how employees are treated. Guess the economy has changed everyone's perspective and when the job market changes in a few years, this is one hospital that will be scrambling for help and not understanding why they can't get quality applicants.

If this was some mass screening interview and managers are simply doing an initial face to face interview, MAYBE, there is a reason for them to not call you and leave it to HR to call the non-selected as well as selected. "Letters only" tell me you are not selected and other candidates have been selected and accepted. Or, they are so supremely egotistical and confident that anyone who gets an acceptance letter to work at this place will jump for joy and groveling accept the crumb and ignore the terrible first impression.

No, the manager and HR are under no obligation to tell you how to improve your chance to be selected at another interview, either with them or with another facility. This should have been done as part of your school leadership activities. Worse case scenario, get on the internet and Google "interview questions" or something similar and see what you can look up for behaviors, post interview letters of thanks, etc.

Frankly, not being selected for this place would be a win in my book.

Good luck in your job search.

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The circumstances of your interview were appalling--most unprofessional in every way.

However, they don't owe you any kind of communication afterwards. Common courtesy that existed in the past has fallen victim to the impersonality of the new hiring processes / job market pressures.

I hope you will have an appropriate setting for your next job interview. And I agree with the poster who said you are better off NOT working where you had this interview--they sound sloppy and disorganized.

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